COACHING · CONTEST PREP · POSING

Built to Rise.

Personalized coaching for people ready to train with structure, accountability and intent—from body recomposition to the bodybuilding stage.

See client results
Nearly a decade in nursing & medicine 1:1 personalized programming AZ + worldwide coaching
Aries Ballena, Head Coach, Founder and Owner of AZ BUILT Athletics, carrying weight plates in the gym

ABOUT / COACH

Aries Ballena

Head Coach, Founder & Owner of AZ BUILT Athletics

AZ BUILT Athletics combines individualized training, nutrition strategy, accountability and stage development with a coaching approach shaped by nearly a decade in nursing and medicine.

Built To Rise means building the structure and self-trust required to keep progressing—not chasing a temporary result.

01 Medical background
02 Individualized coaching
03 Stage presentation
04 Long-term progression

RESULTS & TESTIMONIALS

Real clients. Real work. Built results.

No stock transformations and no cherry-picked individual progress gallery. The collages below show the team as a whole: body recomposition, fat loss, physique development and posing.

BODY RECOMP · TRANSFORMATION · FAT LOSS

AZ BUILT Athletics client body recomposition, transformation and fat-loss progress collage

POSING DEVELOPMENT

Stage presentation is trained.

Apply for posing →
AZ BUILT Athletics posing clients collage, group one AZ BUILT Athletics posing clients collage, group two

WHAT CLIENTS SAY

Consistency beyond coaching.

Apply for a Consult →
“I trained for 2.5 years but saw little progress. Within the first 3 weeks with Aries, I saw more progress than I had in years.”
JoseOnline coaching
“Even after knee surgery, Aries helped me train hard without training reckless. He understands limitations and turns them into progress.”
Dr. CharlieIn-person training · posing
“I came in with zero knowledge of posing, and he broke everything down in a way that actually made sense to me. I didn't just learn posing, I learned to love the art of it.”
JayFirst-show posing
“He took most of the mental load off by handling everything: from what I ate, to training, to peak week. On show day, he was backstage with me at 6am.”
MikeContest prep
“The training works. The food works. The macros work. When I followed the plan, I saw real changes and a real transformation.”
AreliOnline coaching
“Aries is knowledgeable, pushes you to get stronger, and truly customizes everything. No cookie-cutter plans.”
BrennaIn-person training
See the full testimonial board
AZ BUILT Athletics client testimonials collage, part one AZ BUILT Athletics client testimonials collage, part two

Named client timelines on this site: Alex and Caitie, 6 months and 4 months of consistent training and nutrition. Collages show real AZ BUILT clients, not stock photos.

AZ BUILT Athletics client spotlight featuring Alex and Caitie

CLIENT SPOTLIGHT

Alex & Caitie

Two timelines. One standard: discipline, consistency and showing up for the plan.

See Their Progress

YOUR TURN

Ready to build your own result?

Apply for a Consult

PROGRAMS

Choose the coaching lane that fits your goal.

Every plan starts with the individual. Core coaching is locked in on 6- or 12-month commitment agreements — not cancel-anytime month-to-month — so you get consistency and we can coach without chasing renewals.

01

IN-PERSON

Training

Individual, semi-private or small-group coaching with custom programming and online support.

  • Programming around your schedule
  • Technique, intensity and progression
  • Flexible training frequency

From $621 / mo · 6-month commitment

or $3,726 pay in full · 12-mo from $586.50/mo

See in-person pricing → Or apply for a consult →
03

STAGE

Contest Prep

Full competition preparation with training, nutrition, posing and weekly adjustments through peak week.

  • 16–20 week prep structure
  • Posing development included
  • Peak-week planning and support

From $360 / mo · 6-month commitment

or $2,160 pay in full · 12-mo from $340/mo

See contest prep pricing → Or apply for a consult →
04

POSING

Posing Development

Division-specific work on mandatory poses, transitions, presentation and stage confidence.

  • 1:1 posing instruction
  • Mandatory pose refinement
  • Transitions and stage presence

From $306 / mo · 8 sessions · 6-month commitment

or $1,836 pay in full · 12-mo from $289/mo

See posing pricing → Or apply for a consult →

COMMITMENT COACHING

Sign a term. Stop the month-to-month churn.

AZ BUILT clients lock in on a 6-month or 12-month Coaching Service Agreement. You get uninterrupted programming and accountability. We get a real coaching runway — not cancel-anytime billing. Pay the Commitment Fee in full or on a fixed installment schedule. Exact terms are on your Order Form before you sign.

See Pricing & Checkout

BUILT TO RISE GUARANTEE

Show up. Follow the program. See the progress.

Complete all 12 weeks, hit 85%+ adherence with no missed check-ins, and submit start and end photos. If you did the work and you are not satisfied, you get a full refund of the Challenge fee. That is the only public guarantee.

Apply for a Consult

GET STARTED

Apply in 90 seconds. Get matched personally.

Include a mobile number. Aries reviews every application and follows up to lock a 15-minute consult. If you want to move faster, you can also grab an open calendar slot (Phoenix time).

Gym
931 S Gilbert Rd, Mesa, AZ 85204
24-hour member access with a key fob

Phone
(928) 510-6777

Coaching
Aries works 7 days a week. Consults by appointment.

Service area
Scottsdale · Tempe · Mesa · Phoenix Metro

Online coaching
Available worldwide

Client app
AZ BUILT Athletics app · Trainerize login

Instagram
@aries_ballena_training.coach

Your information is used only to respond to your coaching inquiry. See the Client App Privacy Policy.

FAQ

Questions, answered.

Do I need competition experience to start?

No. Coaching ranges from lifestyle and body recomposition to first-time competitors and experienced athletes.

Is coaching online, in-person, or both?

Both. Online coaching runs through regular check-ins and program adjustments. In-person training is at 931 S Gilbert Rd in Mesa, with 24-hour member access by key fob. Aries coaches 7 days a week.

What does posing coaching actually involve?

One-on-one work on mandatory poses, transitions, presentation and stage presence, tailored to your division and current level.

How do I know which program is right for me?

Apply for a consult. We review your goals, timeline, and training experience, then match you to the right coaching lane.

What is the cancellation policy?

Core coaching is sold on 6-month and 12-month commitment agreements, not cancel-anytime month-to-month. Your Order Form lists the Commitment Fee, payment schedule, and early-exit terms before you sign. Short pilots (like the 12-Week Physique Rebuild) follow the terms published on that offer page.

Why commitment instead of month-to-month?

Results need runway. A locked 6- or 12-month term keeps programming, check-ins, and accountability consistent — and removes the cancel-anytime churn that stalls progress for both of us.

Still have a question?

Apply for a Consult